Earlier this week, Chris Simms revealed his top 40 quarterbacks for the upcoming 2021 season. The list included the likes of Marcus Mariota, Tyrod Taylor, and even Kellen Mond (WHO?) but left off one starting quarterback in the entire NFL. Eagles QB Jalen Hurts was left off shockingly, and many were left wondering why. Now Simms’ list isn’t likely to be accurate. Before last season, Chris had Carson Wentz 6th, Tom Brady 15th behind Big Ben, and Rookie of the Year Justin Herbert 37th.

When attempting to defend his decision, this is what Simms had to say.

“When you go back and watch some of the throwing and decision-making and all of that … I had to put him on the outside looking in there. There’s way too many slam-dunk, easy completions that I would expect a good senior high school quarterback to make that are not made. And we’re talking about defenses, again, where he has the advantage of, ‘Hey, we’re trying to stop him from running. Let’s make a pass defense really easy because we’re gonna be all about stopping him from the running game and doing those things.”

I don’t even know where to begin with this. First off, Hurts had several incredible throws under pressure in the pocket, where he showed immense poise. Second, these defenses didn’t adjust their coverages much because the front four was getting enough pressure on Jalen Hurts already. These teams were not sending the house, so Jalen didn’t have a quick one-on-one to capitalize on.

Even if Simms is somewhat correct in his claims, he has no room to talk. In Jalen Hurts’ rookie season, while being thrown in against defenses like New Orleans and Green Bay, he produced had a 77.6 passer rating. Chris Simms played five years in the NFL, and his career-high passer rating was just 81. Jalen also threw six touchdowns in four starts while it took Simms 16 games to produce just 12. Hurts’ only brutal performance came against the Washington Football Team, where the entire team was trying to lose on purpose.

Everyone around the NFL has been hyping up Jalen ahead of the 2021 season. From former quarterbacks like Donovan McNabb to his teammates and even his head coach Nick Sirianni. History will not be kind to those who doubted Jalen Hurts.

Mandatory Credit: USA Today Sports